Hyundai Zombie Survival Machine makes grand entry at Comic-Con 2012

by KBB.com Editors | July 13, 2012 12:53 PM

A wicked one-off capable of withstanding attacks from the grimmest of attackers, Hyundai Zombie Survival Machine rolled onto the scene in San Diego at the opening of the annual Comic-Con convention. Built to celebrate the 100th issue of the award-winning "The Walking Dead" graphic novels, this Elantra Coupe-based ultimate road warrior was designed by TWD's creator Robert Kirkman and turned into a mobile zombie-zapper by the creative team at renowned Design Craft Fabrication in Westminster, California.

Among its many formidable defenses, Hyundai's Zombie Survival Machine boasts a spike-enriched front V-plow -- a prickly motif also found on its custom forged-aluminum wheels that are wrapped in rugged all-terrain/rally-type tires -- full body armor, protective window bars, a roof hatch that allows those on board to dispatch any threatening undead pedestrians, forward and rear facing floodlights, a CB radio system and a trunk full of electric and pneumatic weaponry. As an extra bit of deadpan detail, Kirkman even included a limited-run illustrated owner's manual that outlines the operation of all of the car's on-board systems and prepares the driver and passengers for "the gruesome realities of the zombie apocalypse."

"Our custom Elantra Coupe Zombie Survival Machine is the ultimate car for The Walking Dead fans and anyone who wants to survive a zombie invasion," said Steve Shannon, vice president of Marketing, Hyundai Motor America. "We are excited for fans to come and experience the Elantra Coupe and GT in a unique, post-apocalyptic way." Hyundai hopes to use the Zombie Survival Machine and its relationship with Kirkman and his Skybound operation as well as the international media company Future PLC to influence more Gen Y buyers to consider the brand and particularly the new youth-oriented Elantra Coupe and Elantra GT variants.

In addition to the Zombie Survival Machine, Kirkman, Skybound and Hyundai also created a custom Hyundai Elantra GT wrapped in the cover of The Walking Dead 100th issue drawn by artist Charlie Adlard. If your invite to this evening's private The Walking Dead 100th Issue VIP Black Carpet Event happened to get lost in the mail, full highlights, details of the Zombie Survival Machine build-up and a chance to register to win a new Elantra GT can be found at www.HyundaiUndead.com.